English Original
A man named Fu Xian was fond of reading. Though proficient in literature and etiquette, he was stubbornly adherent to outworn rules. Being impractical and dull, he resembled an old pedant.
One day, Fu Xian strolled down the street with measured strides, asking everyone he met, "Have you seen Wei San?"
Someone pointed the way, and he continued his unhurried walk. Upon finding Wei San, he caught his breath and said, "I just saw your wife doing needlework under a tree. She grew tired and fell asleep. Your child was playing near a well, only three to five chi away. It seemed an accident might occur. However, due to the prudent reserve required between men and women, it was not proper for me to awaken your wife myself. That is why I have come to tell you."
Hearing this, Wei San was panic-stricken and rushed home. When he arrived, his wife was bent over the well, wailing bitterly for their son.
中文翻译
有个叫傅显的人喜欢读书。他精通文章礼仪，却固执地墨守成规。因其不切实际且迟钝迂腐，活像个老学究。
一日，傅显踱着四方步上街，逢人便问：“看见魏三了吗？”
有人给他指了方向，他便继续踱步而去。见到魏三后，他喘了几口气才说道：“我刚才看见尊夫人在树下做针线活，疲倦后睡着了。您的孩子在井边玩耍，离井口不过三五尺远，似乎有出事之虞。然而，因男女有别之礼，我亲自唤醒尊夫人恐有不便。故此特来告知。”
魏三一听，惊恐万分，急忙跑回家中。到家时，只见他的妻子正趴在井口，为他们的儿子痛哭哀嚎。